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New York bans events with more than 500 people, shutting down Broadway amid coronavirus spread

ALBANY – New York will ban events of 500 people or more and impose restrictions on restaurants, bars and other venues as part of its effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.

The ban on large gatherings will take effect at 5 p.m. Friday and remain indefinitely. It took effect sooner for Broadway theaters, which went dark a day sooner.

Bars, restaurants and other venues with a listed occupancy of less than 500 will have their capacity temporarily slashed by 50%, Cuomo said.

In addition, New York will impose sweeping restrictions on nursing homes across the state, prohibiting anyone but medical staff to enter in hopes of preventing infection of the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to the coronavirus disease's effects. Facilities will be able to make some exceptions.

Cuomo acknowledged the actions were "dramatic," but said they were necessary to cut down density in hopes of containing the spread.

So far, New York has not had any confirmed coronavirus-related deaths, even as the number of cases has steadily risen.

Cuomo said the limitations on events and nursing homes will remain in effect indefinitely.

The state will revisit them daily, but he said they remain likely to remain as the state's number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to increase.

"I can't tell you anything more than the numbers tell me," Cuomo said. "I see those numbers going up on the number of cases, on the number of hospitalizations, I see those going up and I adjust on the numbers."

Economic impact expected for restaurants, venues

The restrictions are sure to have a significant economic impact on performance venues, arenas and the restaurant industry, which will be forced to cancel events or limit capacity for the immediate future.

The NYS Restaurant Association, which represents restaurant owners across the state, wrote a letter to Cuomo on Thursday, noting that restaurants — particularly those in hard-hit areas like New Rochelle — have taken a major hit already.

The association asked the state to take steps to help the restaurant industry by implementing a temporary cap on delivery fees charged by delivery apps, extending the terms of payment to alcohol distributor and granting a 90-day extension on paying sales tax.

In a statement, Melissa Fleischut, the Restaurant Association's president and CEO, said Cuomo's capacity cap will "dramatically impact all restaurants across the state."

"Restaurants in Westchester and New York City have already reached a tipping point and are barely keeping their doors open," she said. "The dramatic decline in business will only get worse, and there is a growing fear among owners about how they will survive this crisis without meaningful assistance."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and members of his administration deliver a coronavirus update during a new conference at the state Capitol in Albany; March 13, 2020.(Photo: Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

The Broadway League, the trade group representing Broadway theater owners and producers, said the New York theaters hope to reopen for performances the week of April 13.

"Our top priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of Broadway theatergoers and the thousands of people who work in the theatre industry every day, including actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals,” said Charlotte St. Martin, the trade group's president.

"Our approach to all matters like this, but most especially this matter, has been to follow the advice of the health authorities," he said. "If the health authorities think that density restrictions are in order, then that's what we need to do."

Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-Manhattan, who represents Manhattan's Theater District, called the decision part of "an unprecedented crisis," saying the industry supports tens of thousands of workers and small businesses.

“As we follow the much-needed guidelines set out by Governor Cuomo this afternoon, we now have to do everything possible to keep Broadway alive after this epidemic and support the local businesses that are the lifeblood of our city,” he said in a statement.

Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1@Gannett.com or on Twitter at @JonCampbellGAN.

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